HAMILTON North opening batsman, Darren Groves, celebrated the return to cricket for the 2022-23 season by scoring two centuries in the space of 24 hours, dominating two opposition bowling attacks in a stunning first up display of form.

Groves started his weekend in the T20 match against Tahara at Mitchell Park on Friday evening, smashing the Bluecaps for 108-not-out from only 56 balls, as the fieldsmen watched on as the ball raced to the fence six times and then over it a further seven instances.

Hamilton North d. College

GROVES was at it again only 19 hours later when he carried his form as if no time had passed, as the College bowlers felt the force of his strokes when he took 115-not-out from them to round out the weekend’s efforts.

Groves combined with his skipper, Eli Crutch, in adding 189 for the second wicket, of which Crutch smashed an amazing 121 (10 boundaries and 10 maximums) from only 57 balls.

The pair made light work of the target score of 98 that College set for the Hammers, hitting the winning runs in only 65 balls.

Casterton District d. Grampians

CASTERTON District won the toss and sent Grampians in to bat on the Island Park hardwicket and the home side recorded a confidence building victory against the Pumas by 40 runs.

The Maroons soon had the visitors in trouble with the ball in hand, as the first three wickets fell with only 26 on the board, and the Pumas never recovered, finishing on 7-110, with Greg Millard leading the way with 58 at the top of the order.

In reply, Casterton District, knocked off the target inside the 31 overs, as Alister Bright knocked up 71 before retiring, while Oliver Fenwick grabbed the honours with the ball in taking 2-10.

St Andrew’s v St Andrew’s Saints

ST Andrew’s fought out a club derby with the Saints winning the toss and electing to send St Andrew’s to the crease at PP3 and the move seemed to have paid off, as the Drews were soon 2-37 with Jordon Van Dooren and Andy O’Connor both back in the pavilion early.

Jamie Logan (42) and Josh Evans combined for a third-wicket stand of 118, before Logan was dismissed, but Evans carried his bat through to the end of the innings to finish with 101-not-out, as the Drews posted 4-216.

The Saints took strike in the second innings knowing that they had to bat very well if they were to hunt down the target score, but it wasn’t to be.

Harley Simpson (4-32) and Connor Burns (3-25) ran through the batting order to help dismiss the Saints for only 108 with Darren Smart (26) top scoring.

Hamilton v Tahara

HAMILTON was outclassed by Tahara on Saturday, as both teams had to travel to Wando Vale due to the unavailability of closer venues.

Tahara batted first after Hamilton won the toss and invited the Bluecaps to bat, with Brody Gibbs (3-44) taking the honours with ball, as Tahara amassed 4-208 from their allotted overs.

Hamilton had to bat well if it was to chase down the target, but it wasn’t to be, as only Isaac Shaw (29) could be happy with his form.

Harry Armstrong grabbed three wickets to run through the top six in the Hamilton order, with the Blues posting 8-121 at stumps.

College Eagles v Byaduk

GAME was postponed, due to venue availability.